"In war there is no second prize for the runner-up."- General Omar Bradley

Developed by the Quartermaster Corps, the jeep and other motor transport vehicles were transferred to the Ordnance Department in August, 1942. Despite its lightweight, the jeep could perform a variety of functions, including towing a 37mm antitank gun over a 7% grade. Unencumbered, the jeep could climb a 60% grade, and was capable of attaining speeds in excess of 60-mph on a level highway. It could ford a stream 18-inches deep, even when fully equipped and loaded. It had a cruising range of approximately 300 miles on 15 gallons of gasoline. Operated by a crew of two, the jeep had a space in the rear for equipment or additional personnel.

This particular 1:18 scale jeep comes with its top down.
Now in stock!

Dimensions:
Length: 7-1/2-inches
Width: 3-inches

Release Date: October 2012

Historical Account: "What's in a Name?" - One account of the origin of the term "jeep" begins when the prototypes were being proven at military bases. The term "jeep" was used by Army mechanics for any untried or untested vehicles.

Another likely factor in the popularization of the jeep name came from the fact that the vehicle made quite an impression on soldiers at the time, so much so that they informally named it after Eugene the Jeep, a character in the Popeye cartoons created by E. C. Segar. Eugene the Jeep was Popeye's "jungle pet" and was "small, able to move between dimensions and could solve seemingly impossible problems."

In early 1941, Willys-Overland staged a press event in Washington, D.C., having the car demonstrate its prowess by driving up the Capitol steps. Irving "Red" Hausmann, a test driver on the Willys development team who had accompanied the car for its testing at Camp Holabird, had heard soldiers there referring to it as a jeep. He was enlisted to go to the event and give a demonstration ride to a group of dignitaries, including Katherine Hillyer, a reporter for the Washington Daily News. When asked by the reporter, Hausmann too called it a Jeep. Hillyer's article appeared in the newspaper on February 20th, 1941, with a photo showing a jeep going up the Capitol steps and a caption including the term 'jeep'. This is believed to be the most likely cause of the term being fixed in public awareness. Even though Hausmann did not create or invent the word Jeep, he very well could be the one most responsible for its first news media usage.

The name Jeep has also been thought to come from Ford's version called the GP, therefore Gee P, which is possibly why there were legal matters with the name.

Length: 7-1/2-inchesWidth: 3-inches

Features

Diecast metal construction

Rubber tires

Opening hood

Realistic-looking engine

Fold down windshield

Comes with entrenching utensils and other tools lining the outer portions of the vehicle

This piece by Wellys has incredible detail and is well worth the price. Looking forward to the next military piece from them.

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

US 1/4 Ton Willys Jeep

November 19, 2012

Reviewer:
Bill Hubbell from Centennial, CO United States

I used to play with a model Willys when I was a kid. I drove one when I was in the Army. Now I have a great model on display in my office. Thanks Again Motor Pool for one more memorable addition to my model collection